Last February, Alyssa Howe, was rushed to a hospital after a friend accidentally fired a shot that hit her in the head.

Howe, who was 13 years old at the time of the shooting, has made a remarkable recovery over the past year, a recovery due in no small part to the fast work by the medics who stabilized her enough to give her a chance to live.

Earlier this month, Lee's Summit police got hold of the Howes to ask them if they wanted to take part in a ceremony honoring the men and women who cared for Alyssa that day.

"I think it's going to be really special to be able to thank someone who helped save my life," Howe said. "So they're the reason I'm still here, so I think it will be really nice."

"I'm excited to be able to tell them a heartfelt thank you, and (say) a thank you for their heroic work that they did that day," said Alyssa's mother, Amy Howe.

Alyssa Howe presented her rescuers with an award during Thursday's annual awards ceremony at the Lee's Summit Police Department.

"I was thinking about, like, how much they had to go through as well, because they had to put so much work in to helping save my life," she said ."So it meant a lot to have actually been able to meet them and see their faces."

"We were hoping for the best," Paris said. "And to see where she is now, it's just remarkable and amazing. So, (it's a) pretty awesome story."

Howe has recovered so fully that she can do most things that other people her age can do. One thing that's still off-limits is taking part in contact sports, such as soccer.

The teenager who accidentally shot Alyssa has been charged in juvenile court with third-degree assault.